Chief Executive Officer

John A Burton

More than 30 years experience in international conservation, including working with Friends of the Earth and 12 years as Chief Executive of Fauna & Flora International. Set up the first TRAFFIC offices for IUCN. Author & broadcaster.

Read John's biography »

Head of Communications

Vivien Burton

Office Manager for Fauna & Flora International for seven years. Worked as Conservation Assistant for Sir Peter Scott in his capacity as Chairman of IUCN’s Species Survival Commission. Has acted as Rapporteur for SSC Meetings and several CITES Conference of the Parties Meetings including New Delhi, Gaborone and Buenos Aires. Has worked with WLT since its inception and helped its development from the early days of Programme for Belize.

Conservation Support Manager

Joanne Finch

Jo has a keen interest in conservation and the environment and after graduating in History in 2006, she visited, and worked with, several WLT overseas project partners, as a volunteer. On her return she undertook the six-month WLT internship in Project Development moving to work in the communications department 2008. During 2009 Jo is based in London, and among other things will be co-ordinating WLT's Anniversary events.

Administrative Assistant

Claire Millard

Claire started work for WLT in 1996 and held various administrative roles until the birth of her first child in 2004. After a five year break she has recently returned to WLT on a part-time basis as Administrative Assistant to the CEO and Head of Communications. When not at work her time is spent bringing up her two young children, Ben and Olivia.

Donations Manager

Anne Clifford

An Archaeology and Anthropology graduate who joined the Trust in September 2003. Responsible for the management of the Trust's supporter database. When not in the WLT office, she can generally be found either working on the family's organic farm or acting with a local drama group.

Communications Officer

Clare Richardson

Clare has spent the past three years working as an Events and Marketing Coordinator for a large publisher in London and New York but returned at the end of 2008 to live in Suffolk's Waveney Valley where she was born and bred. She works with the WLT's Donations, Events and Corporate Support team. In her spare time she enjoys horse riding, boxing, and playing the ukulele very badly, and also cooking and vegetable gardening.

Donations & Database Assistant

Hannah Sheffield

With a love of wildlife and conservation, Hannah was delighted to be offered a job with WLT and joined the Donations team in May 2009 to work on donor support and records. In her free time she loves gardening, painting and voluntary work. She can often be found roaming around the woods near Dunwich with her camera, dog and partner, or at home with her pet lizards.

Director of Conservation

Roger Wilson

Has a long association with the WLT, including as a Technical Advisor to Programme for Belize. Has been involved in conservation fieldwork for over 30 years and with forestry and restoration ecology projects for over 10 years, with extensive experience in West and Central Africa, Belize and other parts of Central America. Responsible for the co-ordination and direction of the WLT Conservation Programme, in collaboration with other senior staff and under the overall oversight of the CEO.

Conservation Programmes Manager

Kirsty Burgess, currently on maternity leave

An Ecology & Wildlife Management graduate who joined the WLT in 2000 on a six-month internship in Project Development. Since then she has been co-ordinating the Trust's conservation programmes. Provides support and liaison for overseas partner organisations, carries out site visits, and develops monitoring programmes for international projects. Interested in tropical conservation ever since exploring the reefs, caves and mangroves of Malaysia in her childhood. Can often be seen out walking her dog, Nutmeg.

Conservation Projects Officer (Africa & Americas Region)

Ruth Canning

An Environmental Biology graduate with a Masters in Wildlife Biology and Conservation who joined the WLT in March 2007. Provides support and liaison for overseas partner organisations with direct responsibility for managing the Trust's Central and South American projects.  Also co-ordinates research and development of new projects with a particular focus on the Americas and Africa.

Conservation Projects Officer (Asia Region)

Mary Tibbett

A Tropical Environmental Science graduate who joined WLT in September 2008 after 3 years working in the UK ecological consultancy sector. Responsible for project administration and development of projects with a geographical focus on Asia. Also manages the Trust’s UK based project at Kites Hill and the Books for Conservation Programme.

Conservation Projects Officer (South America)

Lorienne Parker

An Ecology graduate with a Masters in Primate Conservation who joined WLT in July 2008 as a Projects Development Intern. Prior to this, travelled in Latin America, stopping en route to volunteer on conservation projects. Assists in the administration of South American projects and in particular is responsible for providing support and liaison for WLT’s Paraguay projects. 

Restoration Ecology Projects Officer, Restoration Ecology Team

Rebecca Absalom

A Geology graduate who spent the third year of her degree on an international placement in New South Wales, Australia, where she also completed her independent mapping project. Volunteered for conservation organisations and worked for an environmental consultancy before joining the WLT in 2007, where she is responsible for the administration, development and management of WLT’s restoration ecology projects.

Carbon Programme Officer, Restoration Ecology Team

Hannah Doyle

An International Development graduate with a Masters in Applied Ecology and Conservation who joined the WLT in January 2009. Responsible for the management of the Carbon Balanced programme, and the primary point of contact for all carbon related enquiries.

Projects Development Assistant

Kristina Turner

Joined the WLT as an intern in September 2008 having been inspired by an expedition to Tanzania to pursue a career in conservation. Has an MSc. in Conservation and Biodiversity and has volunteered for projects in South Africa, Cyprus and Tenerife. Currently working on fundraising, events and web projects.

Projects Support, Restoration Ecology Team

Andrew Smiley

Spent several months assisting WLT as a volunteer, helping set up the carbon monitoring systems, both in the UK and in Ecuador. Now undertakes short-term contracts for WLT as necessary, particularly in providing field project support.